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Chap Petersen

01/21/2014

For several months the specter of indictment over former Governor Bob McDonnell (R) was nothing but a rumor. Tuesday night that rumor became a reality as McDonnell now begins the legal fight of his life.

You can read the entire indictment filed against McDonnell and his wife Maureen here.

McDonnell's legal team filed two counter motions to the claims against him.

McDonnell and his wife are facing a serious legal challenge but the case is no slam dunk. We broke down his legal fight on NBC12.

RICHMOND (WWBT)- Bob McDonnell, and his wife Maureen, are gearing up for the fight of their lives. Both face a long list of federal corruption charges -- and the former governor appears ready to defend himself, against what he described "unprecedented" charges.

The former governor reacted quickly to the news that he was facing charges. He immediately released a statement defending his innocence and then looked directly into television cameras and said the Justice Department's case rests on a "misguided legal theory".

This is not how Former Governor Bob McDonnell envisioned his life after he left office.

"I come to you this evening as someone who has been falsely accused and whose public service has been wrongly attacked," McDonnell said in a Tuesday night hastily called news conference.

A stoic McDonnell- flanked by his wife Maureen who is also facing charges, and his daughter and son in law- whose wedding was a catalyst for this controversy- claimed he was in this position because of overzealous federal prosecutors.

"Federal officials in their zeal to find a basis to charge Maureen and me have decided to stretch the law to its breaking point," he said.

The lengthy indictment makes the case that McDonnell and his wife set up meetings with state officials for Jonnie Williams -- the then CEO of dietary supplement company Star Scientific -- in exchange for gifts, loans and outright cash.

McDonnell claims Williams was a friend and the two had nothing to do with one another.

Democrat State Senator and McDonnell critic Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax) agrees that parts of the case may be a reach, but McDonnell is still going to have explain much of what is laid out in the indictment.

"There is no 'quid pro quo' that I can see," said Petersen. "But the bottom line is that there is a lot of circumstantial evidence and it will be a hotly contested case."

07/02/2013

Sen. Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax) has sent Bob McDonnell (R-Virginia) a letter requesting that he reveal all his connections to a wealthy businessman or resign as governor.

Petersen suggests in the letter to McDonnell that connections between the Governor and Star- Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams are inappropriate and that the McDonnell family has "materialistically and systematically benefited by this person and his company for at least the past two years."

Petersen is a liberal, but well respected member of the State Senate and pondered openly on his blog earlier this week, why his fellow Democrats decided to take a "hands-off" approach to the governor during this weekend's Jefferson-Jackson dinner.

He also flirted with the idea of a run for governor himself this year, but ultimately decided not to run.

Petersen calls on McDonnell to come clean on this matter. He said admitting openly and specifically to what if any benefit the First Family received from Williams and his company is the only way to regain the public trust.

"This blatantly political statement from Senator Peterson was not unexpected," said Martin pointing to the Petersen blog post. "The Senator's letter appears to be premised on unconfirmed and inaccurate media reports."

Martin went on to defend the Governor's disclosure record and emphasised that there is no proof that Williams benefited from his relationship with McDonnell.

"The governor has been diligent over the years in making his financial
disclosures. As we have stated before, we are aware of no economic
development grants, targeted tax incentives, government contracts or
board appointments received by Star Scientific or Jonnie Williams during
this Administration. As an attorney, certainly Senator Peterson
understands this office's not discussing the details of matters pending
in the legal process. And, as a legislator, certainly Senator Peterson
is aware that Virginia's disclosure requirements do not pertain to the
families of elected officials."

PROGRAMMING NOTE:

Senator Petersen will join me live on NBC12 First at 4 on Wednesday to discuss his letter to the Governor. It will be his first interview to discuss his challenge to McDonnell.